The best of violet reason, from the books, 'cheap visions, ' 'retreads, ' and others. Includes the complete series on 'being homeless' and 'death practices.' As the author says, this is where the inflated dreams that carry us on the road to progress hit the asphalt of reality and fall apar

Human truth and pride, pressure-cooked in modern civilization, are treated with understanding and irony in the collected works of the author, who examines the structures of civilization, from ruined buildings to bakery thrift stores, as well as social problems, including the loss of amenity and the decline of civility. She addresses homelessness, nuclear proliferation, pornography, suicide, arson, imprisonment, and exploration. The author uses her own experience as a doctor to treat the experiences of disease and death. She draws on her experiences as a social worker in drug abuse clinics....

Death barely keeps up with the new technology. He tries to practice by phone; he keeps clipping other cars with a Hummer he acquired; Skyping on his WiPad leads to mixed results; he ignores his WrisPuter, when it doesn't fall off. Hospitals often keep him waiting for days, screwing up his schedule. Although the new technology is confusing, the needs of the dying always remain the same. Death learns to spend more time with the dying, and often explains why death and life are not really in opposition; in fact death is necessary for the limit of life and its renewal.